Perspective

                I have learned throughout my life that perspective is EVERYTHING. How you view the day upon waking up can determine what kind of day you are liable to have.  If you greet each day with joy and optimism, you are more likely to have a pleasant and productive day. On the other hand, if you wake up dreading each day, you will probably be struggling through it…unless you are able to turn it around and change your perspective.

                Knowing this and practicing a positive outlook can be difficult. A lot of things can factor in to why you may have a hard time staying confident and cheerful. Being hangry and tired will alter your mood severely…just ask my poor husband. Making sure that you are getting enough sleep, eating foods that won’t make you tired and sluggish, getting some movement in your day…take a walk around the block, twirl in the grass, draw on the sidewalk with chalk. You may think that these are all juvenile suggestions…but they WORK!

                And if you have exhausted all those avenues try something I just learned. Take a minute to think about why you are displeased at that moment. It could be you are unhappy with your job, maybe money is tight, and the holidays are coming, perhaps there are medical issues or family turmoil that you are dealing with. Whatever is causing you self-doubt and unhappiness…stop and take stock of your life and accomplishments thus far. Now conjure your 10-year-old, 15-year-old, or 18-year-old self…whatever age you were, when you figured out what you wanted out of life…what you wanted to be when you grew up…

                Now imagine having a conversation with them and filling in the younger you on all the things you have accomplished…all the things you have survived, and every significant moment of change. Celebratory moments like graduations, marriages, and births. Life altering catastrophes that change who you are. And don’t forget the little things we adults take for granted like owning a car of our own, a house of our own, being able to play video games whenever we want, and stay up past our bedtimes…if we can…

                I can promise you…your younger self would be impressed by your growth and your progress. They would be empathetic to your struggles, but most importantly…they would be proud of all that you have overcome and all that you have succeeded in. You should be too.

L.